I got an opportunity to visit Japan from 4th march to 14th march of 2017. The experience i got from the program was worthy that I thought it would be good to share it with everyone. We were 8 students plus 1 teacher from rajagiri school of engineering and technology.

We went to Sojo university in kumamoto. Sojo university has different departments including computer science and information technology, mechanical, pharmacy, nanotechnology etc. We had an opening ceremony conducted by university where we got an idea of the working of college.

The college life in Japan is different than in India. Most of the people doesn’t know English it was a bit difficult for us. The tuition fees for the students from abroad is much higher but there are a lot of Japanese government scholarship available for us . The scholarship include tuition fee and for masters or internship we even get stiffen. They have more of value education. The teachers of the university are well qualified and all of them have some research works going on.

The things that I noticed about Japan is people are always helpful to each other, even if they don’t know the language they will try their best to help us. We get a lot more flavors of KitKat there which I haven’t seen in India. People are always concern about their health and most of them are allergic to pollen grain and started wearing mask. Japanese people are pet lovers. They walk a lot ,it was really difficult for us to catch the speed. The main thing to notice is punctuality and the cleanliness. They always maintain their time.

The main places to see in kumamoto is the Kumamoto castle. As the castle was under reconstruction we couldn’t go inside. We visited three companies . First one was sitateru which is a global garments company which connects customers directly to the company. Second one was redot, which is a visual effects studio. They do vfx for different commercials, movies, social welfare programs etc. They technologies that they were using was mind blowing. Third was kke , which was a construction company. They explained the working of company, different departments of company etc. To say about the work life in Japan, people do their best for the institution during the work days and during the weekend they enjoy their best.

The Sakura science program was a good experience for me. I could try a lot of Japanese foods and kimono. The culture of the people was amazing of how they respect each other. It was something we all could learn from them. I could walk around the streets even at midnight and no one will even give a look at me.

Nicole Wilden, producer at Radijojo World Chiuldren`s Global Radio Network has been selected by the jury comprising children, media persons and representatives of AFRC, Leadership Village YLP and Peace Gong Kerala considering the inspirational role she played in getting children of Germany, Czech republic and Morocco connected with Indian children using online technology as a powerful media. Nicole, a true friend of the children of Kerala has created a niche in the educational scenario of the state with her involvement in building a bridge between India and Germany.

By partnering with AFRC Nicole succeeded in organizing many workshops in Germany and other countries with the children in Kerala. Most of the online workshops and partner events focused on environmental issues and UN Sustainable Goals.

Nicole introduced AFRC to the Global Green kids project of Radijojo.
‘Global Green Kids’ is a media based project on environment, nature and sustainability – funded by German Federal Foundation for the Environment (DBU) and the city of Berlin. ‘Global Green Kids’ was awarded by the German UNESCO-commission as UN-Decade project ‘Education for sustainable development’ 2013/2014.
Global Green Kids:
-connects children of all continents and ages, different cultures and social classes
-produces educational environment media by kids for kids for use in schools, youth centers and community radios
-enables children and local communities to own action for the environment, nature and sustainability

-is cooperating with schools, NGOs and civil society media in Germany, Europe and all over the world
-is non-profit, ad-free and participatory
-is realized by Radijojo World Children’s Media Network, which is awarded by UNICEF, UNESCO, UN Alliance of Civilizations, the federal government and the EU
-contributes to the implementation of the UN Millennium Development Goals.

“Child of nature” is a major film project of which the children from Kerala and Bhopal played prominent roles, thanks to the initiative taken by Nicole in connecting with the director Mr. Marcos as well as with Enigma Films Brazil. The film project is a global documentary film “Child of Nature” which will present amazing stories of children and youth with a surprising new vision for the planet. It’s about this new young generation that is taking on the responsibility of caring for the planet and its people. Kids and initiatives that can inspire and transform society.

Online education has been a long cherished dream of AFRC. We found Nicole as a solution. Her passion and commitment knows no boundaries. When during workshops connectivity fails Nicole goes to any extreme to make it happen. She even made overseas phone calls when Skype had technical issues. Nicole is a strong and determined lady, at the same time fun loving, caring and compassionate. Long live this friendship which made two countries closer for a bunch of children and teachers.

Colour doesn`t matter, but separatism does.

When the color of the skin is caused by melanindeposits, it is sad to note that there still exists an India dictated by the shades of color. India is yet to wake up from the colonial hangover, which gratefully we pocketed when the British left us.

Any mention of separatism hurt, be it on color, race or culture. AFRC, an organisation built by students of a rural hill station in Kerala found certain remarks circulating in the media quite unfortunate and untimely. At a time when India sent more than 100 satellites safely into orbit, and made history by the Mars mission Chandrayan, as Indians we all need to come together and congratulate each other for creating a vibrant economy comprising multitude of different languages and states.

But sadly, the days have changed. Let us stretch our hands wider and open our hearts to new thoughts and progress. Let us not pave ways of narrow minded twisted thoughts to the next generation. Let us erase borders and build bridges of cooperation and collective progress. Colour doesn`t matter, but separatism does. Let us not.

H I M UP School at Kalpetta, Wayanad witnessed an important academic event on 15th February 2017. The day saw how children erased boundaries of two nations, two cultures with the helping hands of technology. Language played no spoil sport during the Skype interaction between the students of Wedding Primary School, Berlin and H I M UP School, Kerala. Spirited children from Muzhappilanangad LP School also joined the workshop by sharing questions, sending pictures and notes to Germany.

The program was conducted at 3.30 PM on 15 – 2 – 2017. Invited students from 7th standard attended the online workshop. We were able to start the program at the correct time. H I M UP School was recently upgraded as a High Tech school and the workshop made us of all technological facilities of the school. Teachers were very cooperative as they wished their children go hand in hand with technology and world views. As we are living in a a world guided by technology, this kind of events are very important to the students of Wayanad.

Being members of AFRC it was our duty t make the event a success. Mr. Jeffin and Mr. Navaneeth assisted me in the process. We reached the school early an give instructions to the teachers and students. We really didn`t want any obstacles to the program and tried our level best, when initially we faced some technical issues. The workshop was conducted at the school computer lab. We interacted with the children from Germany thorugh a Skype call.

The press was also invited to the program. Mr. Jinto rperesented Malyala Manorama and Mr. Nisam, Suprabhatham newspaper. Our children were ready to interact wiht the children from Germany.As it was their first experience the kids were a little bit nervous. But their curiosity and enthusiasm overcame their tension. Finally the workshop started at 3.30 and despite the initial confusion, the HIM UP School children interacted with the Wedding Primary children with enthusiasm.

The Wedding children asked different questions ranging from Weather to poverty. HIM Up kids asked about distribution of food, climate change and one smart boy even asked about Valentines Day ! Children sang songs to each other and they had great fun together. It was a magical moment to see children swaying for the tunes of different foreign languages. They proved that for emotional warmth language is not at all a hindrance.

The interaction lasted for an hour. Though the children wanted to continue the chat, however the time was limited. They exchanged all important questions and answers and bid good bye. Their cheers and clapping made the room very lively. It was a raer and lovelmy moment to see that.

The workshop underlined the need to exchange views and thoughts of children from different regions. This will help them to understand different issues, cultures, opinions and regional differences. Workshop like these will help children understand the relevance of Sustainable Develop Goals and the role of UN in strengthening nations and communities.

Muzhappilanangad is quite famous across nations as Asias`s lengthiest drive in beach. An impressive feat indeed. Now the coastal village of Kannur has another attraction. School children who write letters of camaraderie to a bunch of school children in Germany.

The excited kids were connected by Radijojo Global Radio Network, AFRC India and Peace Gong Kerala. The golden moments were created as children from Wedding Primary School, Muzhappilanagd LP School and H I M UP School jointly organised a workshop on UN Sustainable Development Goals.

The workshop was coordinated by Nicole Wilden, Shyadish Kavil, Riyas Narikkuni, Ali K Wayanad, Laila Saein and Anil Emage. The children have proven with the workshop that countries, races and languages can`t separate human hearts.

H I M UP School, which was recently upgraded as the first High Tech school in Wayanad lived up to its name by hosting an international online workshop which was organised by Radijojo Global Children`s Radio Network, AFRC India, Peace Gong Kerala and Muzhappilangad LP School, Kannur.

Wayanad, one of the least developed districts of Kerala State, never was fortunate enough to experience global education feats. In such a scenario, the recently concluded international workshop between Indian and German children is to be seen as a new light flickering in the horizon for the knowledge hungry students of Wayanad.

The festival of books come alive in Kalpetta with the arrival of the renowned Malayalam short story writer Arshad Bathery. Arshad Bathery received the copy of Maxim Gorky`s “My Apprenticeship and My Universities” at the function.

AFRC director Laila Saein said that books play a very important role in the cultural development of children and youth. The initiative of AFRC aims in instilling a sense of belonging to books among the public.

The event is part of the “Save, Share and Sell” movement of “WHL” World Heritage Literature project of AFRC. The book drive will value add to the AFRC campaign for a village university in Wayanad.